Transcript of the above video: 

As the title of this video suggests, we are discussing SB-1 Returning Resident Visas. What are these? Well, this is a really discreet category of Visa; most people are not going to need this type of Visa.

But basically, if you are a Lawful Permanent Resident and you've spent a prolonged period of time outside the United States, or you've lost your I-551, i.e. your Green Card, your actual Resident Card, you may need to go ahead and file for an SB-1 Returning Resident Visa. Again, what is it for? It is for someone who has residence in the United States who's been gone for a prolonged period of time and they need to go back and they're basically worried they might get turned away by US Customs and Border Protection or they don't have their actual travel document; they have lost it and they need to get a new one, but they've been gone so long that things like a boarding foil won't necessarily work. In that set of circumstances you're going to need the SB-1. Again SB-1 is a very discreet Visa. It's highly unused but when it's needed, it's very, very useful. 

As far as the process for getting an SB-1 and how that might change in 2026. I doubt it will change very much. Basically, the process is effectively the back end of the IR-1 or CR-1 process; it's essentially sort of the Consular processing phase of an Immigrant Spouse Visa. It is just sort of like cutting the Visa process in half in order to get one of these SB-1 Visas in order to return, because that person already has established their residency; they have already emigrated to the United States, they're just returning. Again, as I said it's very rarely utilized. There is a very small subset of people that are ever going to need the SB-1, but when you need it, it is very useful.

As far as the process goes in 2026, I don't see any major changes happening. That being said, we will certainly be keeping you updated on this channel as the situation evolves.